MN: Lots of illegal hunting

State conservation officers seized 140 firearms from hunters last season
for baiting deer, according to figures releases Tuesday by the Department of
Natural Resources.

Officers issued 129 citations -- a dozen fewer than in 2008 -- but still
the second most since 2003, when just 25 citations were handed out. The
issue remains a major problem, officials have said. Officers handled 545
baiting complaints last year. Some other statistics:

• Half the conservation officers encountered other hunting violations
while conducting baiting investigations, including tagging/validation
violations, no license and trespass.

• Apples, corn and sugar beets were used in 87 percent of deer baiting
cases.

• Officers reported that nearly 60 percent of the hunters who were cited
for violations admitted to conservation officers that they knew baiting was
illegal, but chose to do it anyway.

Nationally, 28 states ban deer baiting in any form, while 22 allow it --
eight with significant restrictions.

Cold weather helps lakes Recent sub-zero temperatures have helped freeze
the slush that formed on lakes because of heavy snows. But conditions still
vary and slush problems still were reported on some lakes. And, despite the
cold weather, some vehicles broke through ice. A pickup fell into Lake Lida
near Pelican Rapids, and near Glenwood, two vehicles broke through ice on
Lake Reno.

Poachers shoot pheasants

Conservation officer Greg Abraham of New Ulm received one or two
complaints per day last week regarding the shooting of pheasants, Hungarian
partridge, fox and coyotes from motor vehicles. In one case, five partridge
were shot and left in the field.

Large numbers of pheasants and partridge were seen dead along roadways
and in fields. Abraham also received two reports of hunting dogs caught in
snares; one dog was found in serious condition.

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